Refrigerating apparatus



H. R. LORANGER REFRIGERATING' APPARATUS Original Filed May 27, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l gnoawtoz NW0 3, 19%.; H, R, RANGER ma ma REFRIGERAT INGAPPARATUS Original Filed May 27, 1929 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .M oi

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Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QFEEQE REFRIGERATINGAPPARATUS Application May 2'7, 1929, Serial No. 366,118 Renewed May 7,1935 11 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus particularly adapted,but not restricted, to the commercial ice cream cabinet type.

One of its objects is to provide an improved 5 cabinet which is simpleand economical to manufacture and to assemble.

Another object is to increase the amount of insulation in a cabinet.

Another object is to prevent moisture from entering the cabinet.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to construct acabinet of self-supporting metallic shells enclosing hermetically sealedinsulation thereby enabling effective insulation 15 such as cork, toalso fill the space usually taken by the easily warped wood supportingframe members.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a cabinet constructed according to theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlargement of the upper left hand corner portion of Fig.2, and V Fig. 4 is a cross section on lines 4- i of Fig. 1.

It has hitherto been the practice of constructing the type of cabinetcommonly referred to as an ice cream cabinet with a framework generallyof wood and to support by this framework insulation and outer panelssurrounding the usual brine tank. It has been found however that thisouter panel construction quite frequently allows the access of moistureto the interior of the cabinet. Furthermore where the framework has beencomposed of wood, warping has resulted from the moisture getting on theinside of the cabinet. It has been necessary in some cases to bake thecabinet inside of a large oven to drive out moisture that hasaccumulated on the inside of the cabinet. The presence of heavy woodmembers inside the cabinet has also used up space that could be filledwith the more efficient cork insulation. Accordingly it is the purposeof this invention to do away with the usual wood 50 frame and to allow aspace usually devoted to the framework to be taken up by the moreefficient cork insulation. The invention also contemplates hermeticallysealing the insulation of the cabinet. These objects are accomplished by55: utilizing a self-supporting metal shell as a casing for the cabinetand by sealing the insulation in such metallic shell by means of acement.

A perspective View of such a cabinet is disclosed in Fig. 1 composed ofa lower base It and a removable top it having lids l2 opening to theusual place of storage for the ice cream. The lower base member it maybe composed of a one piece sheet metal shell construction. From amanufacturing standpoint however it is preferred to construct this shellof a plurality of sheet metal panels such as the base panel 93, frontpanel M, side panels l5 and a rear panel not disclosed. Between each ofthese panels is preferably a corner insert it more fully disclosed inFig. 4. These panels are effectively joined at their edges in a mannerto make the casing airtight and moisture-tight. A bottom panel has thestrengthening ribs ll extending across it and the side panels also havethe strengthening ribs 58 formed as a pleasing design. The side panelsmay have their lower edge l9 bent over into a supporting edge for thecabinet as disclosed in Fig. 2. Additional supports 2% may extend acrossthe base of the cabinet. The material of these panels and supports ispreferably steel and of such a thickness as to be self-supporting. Theinterior of this lower base may be thoroughly coated with a bituminouscement and suitable insulation placed on the bottom and sides. Asdisclosed a slab of rock cork 22 is placed on the bottom of the cabinetand other slabs of rock cork 23 and E l are placed about the sides andreaching almost to the top of the side panels. A brine tank 25 is coatedon its outside with bituminous cement and is then placed in the cabinetwith its lower panel 26 resting on the lower insulation 22. Thebituminous cement is then allowed to seep into all cracks and crevicesbetween the inner side of the metal shell base it and the outer surfaceof the brine tank 25. As the cement is usually applied in a warm liquidstate, the resulting cooling and solidifying hermetrically seals theinsulation in the metallic shell.

The removable top it has preferably a selfsupporting metallic shell 2'!to support the inner parts thereof. While one piece may be used it isdesirable from a manufacturing standpoint to have a second piece 28welded to the first piece 2? to form a strong curved top. The firstshell El may have a downwardly extending flange 29 W ring 32. Astainless steel sleeve 33 is placed about the opening and has its outerportion lapped over the top of the cabinet. Fastening means such asscrew 34 extends through the sleeve 33, the sleeve 3!, the flange 29 andthe supporting ring 32. The interior side of the shell, ring and sleeve3| are then thoroughly coated with bituminous cement 35 and aninsulation 36, such as one or more slabs of rock cork suitablyperforated for the openings of the ice cream compartments, is placedwithin the shell and hermetically sealed therein by means of additionalbituminous cement. If desired, an outer panel of Monel 3! or otherstainless material may be forced over the metallic shield 2'! forprotective and decorating purposes.

One or more cans or containers 38 are inserted through suitable openingsin the top cover 40 of the brine tank. A sleeve of stainless steel 39 isplaced within their upper portions and the sleeve and can are suitablyfixed to the top of the brine tank by means of indentations M and 62made above and below the contact of the can with the top of the brinetank. The cans and brine tank top are then placed within the cabinet andthe cover of the brine tank is secured to the brine tank by anyconvenient fastening means extending through the flange 43 on the upperportion of the brine tank.

A plurality of supporting members 44 preferably extend around the outertop of the metallic base it These are preferably in the shape of angleirons and as disclosed in Fig. 4 have projections 45 at an overlappingangle towards each other which are secured to one another by fasteningmeans such as the bolts 46. The upper shell 28 has a projection i!extending downwardly therefrom in order to overlap the upper edge of thebase portion iii. A seal 38 preferably in the form of a rubber strip isplaced between this projection 41 and the upper edge of the base of theshell i i. A supporting band 59 is placed about the juncture of the topand bottom portions and fastening means extends through theselastmentioned members which removably secures the top portion to thebase portion. A suitable removable insulation material 5! such as kapokis compressed between the top and base portions when the top portion isput in place. The brine 52 may be cooled in any preferred manner. Asdisclosed, a boiler 53 extends into the tank in the rear panel of thecabinet and has the depending tubes 54 attached thereto. This coolingunit is preferably of the flooded float-controlled type such asdisclosed in the patent to R. G. Osborn, 1,556,708, issued October 13,1925. Any suitable condenser unit such as disclosed in the patent to G.M. Troup, Patent 1,704,522 may be connected to the tank 53 for thesupply of refrigerant. A removable panel 55 allows removal of thecooling unit from the exterior if such removal is necessary. Anysuitable opening through a sleeve in the top portion may be made for theinsertion of the brine into the brine tank. The sleeve would of coursebe surrounded by bituminous cement to maintain the hermetical sealing ofthe top portion.

There has thus been disclosed a cabinet utilizing the exterior shell asa supporting means for the interior structure. The absence of the usualframe members of the interior of the casing allows a greater use of thecork, resulting in better insulation. Due to the greater quantity ofinsulation, a cheaper grade of insulation could be used. Insulation hasbeen effectively hermetically sealed with the result that moisture cannot get in to rot or damage the cork. The form of the cabinet is veryeconomical to construct due to the absence of any operations normallyperformed upon the frame members of such a cabinet. A decided saving ofmaterial is also effected by using the outer shell as a supporting meansfor the cabinet.

Many modifications in the preferred form disclosed may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Advantages of the inventionmay be obtained by using either the top or the base with other forms ofconstruction. It is not desired to limit the invention to the specificform of easing or joints.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metallic walls forming a receptacle, outer metal walls spaced fromthe inner Walls and forming an outer container, insulating material inthe space between said walls, a unitary removable top wall structure forsaid lower containing portion, said unitary top wall structure includingan outer metal wall and insulating material fastened to the outer metalwall, said top wall structure being provided with a plurality of serviceopenings extending therethrough, and means independent of the top wallstructure for insulating and preventing heat transfer between saidunitary top wall structure and said lower containing portion of thecabinet.

2. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metallic walls forming a receptacle, outer metal walls spaced fromthe inner walls and forming an outer container, insulating material inthe space between said walls, a unitary removable top wall structure forsaid lower containing portion, said unitary top wall structure includingan outer metal wall and insulating material sealed to the outer metalwall, said top wall structure being provided with a plurality of serviceopenings extending therethrough and means for sealing the joint betweensaid removable unitary top wall structure and said lower containingportion, to prevent the leakage of external air into the interior of thecabinet.

3. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metallic walls forming a receptacle, outer metal walls spaced fromthe inner walls and forming an outer container, insulating material inthe space between said walls, said insulating material being sealedagainst the ingress of moisture thereto, a removable top wall structurefor said lower con taining portion, said top wall structure including anouter metal wall and insulating material sealed against the ingress ofmoisture thereto, said top wall structure being provided with aplurality of service openings extending therethrough, and means forpreventing the transfer of heat from all of said outer metal walls tosaid inner walls and from the top wall structure to the lower containingportion, said top wall structure being removable as a unit.

4. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metallic walls forming a receptacle, outer metal walls spaced fromthe inner Walls and forming an outer container, insulating material inthe space between said walls, said insulating material being sealedagainst the ingress of moisture thereto, a removable top wall structurefor said lower containing portion, said top wall structure including anouter metal wall and insulating material sealed against the ingress ofmoisture thereto, said top wall structure being provided with aplurality of service openings extending therethrough and removableinsulation independent of the lower containing portion and the top wallstructure between said lower portion and said upper removable wallstructure.

5. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metallic walls forming a receptacle, outer metal walls spaced fromthe inner wall and forming an outer container, insulating material inthe space between said walls, a unitary removable top wall structure forsaid lower containing portion, said unitary top wall structure includingan outer sheet metal wall and insulating material fastened to said outermetal wall by a sealing material, said sealing material surrounding saidinsulating material and causing said insulating material to adhere tosaid outer metal wall.

6. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metal walls and outer metal walls spaced from the inner metalwalls and thermally insulated therefrom, insulation between the innerand outer metal walls, a unitary removable top wall structure forcovering the lower containing portion, said top wall structure having anouter sheet metal covering and a material having low heat conductivitybeneath the top outer sheet metal covering and permanently fastenedthereto so as to be removable as aunit, said top wall structure having aplurality of service openings extending therethrough, and removablefastening means constituting the sole means for fastening the top wallstructure to the lower containing portion for connecting the top sheetmetal covering of the top wall structure to the outer metal walls of thelower containing portion, said fastening means being exposed to andaccessible from the exterior of said cabinet without removing portionsof the cabinet.

7. An ice cream cabinet comprising a lower containing portion includinginner metal walls and outer metal walls spaced from the inner metalwalls and thermally insulated therefrom, insulation between the innerand outer metal walls, a unitary removable top wall structure forcovering the lower containing portion, said top wall structure having anouter sheet metal covering and a material having low heat conductivitybeneath the top outer sheet metal covering and permanently fastenedthereto so as to be removable as a unit, said top wall structure havinga plurality of service openings extending therethrough, and said serviceopenings being lined with sleeves permanently fastened to the top sheetmetal covering and the material having low heat conductivity, means forsealing the joint between the removable upper top wall structure and thelower containing portion, and exposed removable fastening meansconstituting the sole means for fastening the top wall structure to thelower containing portion for connecting the top sheet metal covering ofthe top wall structure to the outer metal walls of the lower containingportion.

8. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination, a wall structureincluding inner and outer metal members with insulating materialtherebetween, the inner metal member of said wall structure forming areceptacle within said cabinet, a removable unitary wall portion forsaid cabinet including an outer metal member and insulating materialfastened thereto, said removable wall portion of said cabinet having anopening therein affording access to said receptacle, and means forsecuring said removable unitary wall portion to the outer metal memberof said wall structure, said securing means being exposed to andaccessible from the exterior of said cabinet without removing portionsof the cabinet.

9. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination, a wall structureincluding inner and outer metal members with insulating materialtherebetween, the inner metal member of said wall structure forming areceptacle within said cabinet, a removable unitary wall portion forsaid cabinet including an outer metal member and insulating materialfastened thereto, said removable wall portion of said cabinet having anopening therein affording access to said receptacle, means independentof said removable wall portion for preventing the transference of heatthereto from said wall structure, and means for securing said removableunitary wall portion to the outer metal member of said wall structure,said securing means being exposed to and accessible from the exterior ofsaid cabinet without removing portions of the cabinet.

10. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination, a wall structureincluding inner and outer metal members with insulating materialtherebetween, the inner metal member of said wall structure forming areceptacle within said cabinet, a removable unitary Wall portion forsaid cabinet including an outer metal member and insulating materialfastened thereto, said removable wall portion of said cabinet having anopening therein affording access to said receptacle, and means forsecuring the outer metal member of said removable unitary wall portionto the outer metal member of said wall structure, said securing meansbeing exposed to and accessible from the exterior of said cabinetwithout removing portions of the cabinet.

11. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination, a wall structureincluding inner and outer metal members with insulating materialtherebetween, the inner metal member of said wall structure forming areceptacle within said cabinet, a removable unitary wall portion forsaid cabinet including an outer metal member and insulating materialfastened thereto, said removable wall portion of said cabinet having anopening therein affording access to said receptacle, means independentof said removable wall portion for preventing the transference of heatthereto from said wall structure, and means for securing the outer metalmember of said removable unitary wall portion to the outer metal memberof said wall structure, said securing means being exposed to andaccessible from the exterior of said cabinet without removing portionsof the cabinet.

I-IU'BERT R. LORAN'GER.

